Unseen Poetry
1. General Information
Looking for your opinion / sense of a poem
No in-depth analysis sought – just your initial impression in good, clear English
One to two A4 pages required only
Use your imagination - don’t be afraid!
Interpret and substantiate with quotes
Treat the question as a comprehension
2. Method
Read the questions, underlining key words
Read the poem a few times
Answer the Qs using clear, simple English
Watch the marking scheme; the more marks, the longer your answer should be
Make it clear that you understand and appreciate the techniques of poetry
3. Techniques
TVSSLITS:
Subject Matter – category / topic of poem
Theme – main point of poem / what the poet is trying to say
Tone – mood or atmosphere of poem
Imagery – mental pictures, concrete or abstract
Language – connotations, allusions, repetition, paradox, assonance, alliteration, ambiguity, onomatopoeia, sound effects, grammar, metre, rhythm and rhyme, symbols, contrast, simile, metaphor, personification, oxymoron, juxtaposition
Voice – the poetic persona adopted; closely related to tone
Structure – the shape of the poem. Extends also to content: how thoughts or ideas are structured
Style – unique characteristics of the poet. What makes their poetry recognisable or different to the poems of others?
1. General Information
Looking for your opinion / sense of a poem
No in-depth analysis sought – just your initial impression in good, clear English
One to two A4 pages required only
Use your imagination - don’t be afraid!
Interpret and substantiate with quotes
Treat the question as a comprehension
2. Method
Read the questions, underlining key words
Read the poem a few times
Answer the Qs using clear, simple English
Watch the marking scheme; the more marks, the longer your answer should be
Make it clear that you understand and appreciate the techniques of poetry
3. Techniques
TVSSLITS:
Subject Matter – category / topic of poem
Theme – main point of poem / what the poet is trying to say
Tone – mood or atmosphere of poem
Imagery – mental pictures, concrete or abstract
Language – connotations, allusions, repetition, paradox, assonance, alliteration, ambiguity, onomatopoeia, sound effects, grammar, metre, rhythm and rhyme, symbols, contrast, simile, metaphor, personification, oxymoron, juxtaposition
Voice – the poetic persona adopted; closely related to tone
Structure – the shape of the poem. Extends also to content: how thoughts or ideas are structured
Style – unique characteristics of the poet. What makes their poetry recognisable or different to the poems of others?